Questions for Tanya van Biesen (Rotman MBA ’00), Executive Director, Catalyst Canada
You are known for your ongoing dedication to advancing inclusive workplaces. When did you first embrace this challenge?
About 10 years ago, when I was a partner at Spencer Stuart, I noticed that many of my clients were asking me to help them bring more female candidates to the table at the Board and executive level. It quickly became clear to me that this was no easy task — both as it related to developing candidates and convincing board members and senior executives that a female candidate might be the best candidate. Soon after that, I took on the leadership of the firm’s Canadian Diversity Practice, where I was responsible for ensuring that we were putting forward diverse candidates. I actually coled the search to place my predecessor, Deborah Gillis, in the role that I occupy today; Deborah has gone on to become the global CEO of Catalyst.
Much has been said about the ‘business case’ for diversity and inclusion. How do you
